George Cohen, one of the final three surviving members of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning squad, has passed away at the age of 83.
Cohen completed his entire playing career with Fulham, making 459 games; George Best called him “the best fullback I ever faced.”
Geoff Hurst, who scored a hat-trick in that historic 1966 victory, led the condolences on Twitter, writing, “Very sad to learn that my friend and England teammate George Cohen has passed away. Everyone, without exception, agreed that George was such a charming individual. George’s wife, Daphne, and his family have my deepest condolences; he will be sorely missed.
Hurst and Bobby Charlton are the only remaining members of the team that defeated West Germany 4-2 in the final. George Eastham, Terry Paine, and Ian Callaghan are the only other surviving members of the 1966 England squad.
Cohen, the right-back and vice-captain of Alf Ramsey’s 1966 team, earned his 37th and last cap a year later. He played in two FA Cup semi-finals and worked for Fulham long after his retirement as a match-day host.
Ramsey memorably barred Cohen from exchanging shirts with an Argentina player following the tense quarterfinal in which the manager referred to his opponents as “animals.”
He then disclosed that the photograph hung on his home’s wall. In 1998, the player sold his winner’s medal, which Fulham had purchased for £80,000, for financial reasons, becoming the first member of the team to do so.
Cohen was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1976 and fought the disease for fourteen years. He became an advocate and fund-raiser for research into the sickness that killed his 1966 teammate and captain Bobby Moore, as well as dementia, which plagued a number of the England team in their senior years. Cohen stated in 2017 that he would donate his brain to science following his death.
In 2003, his nephew Ben Cohen played rugby union for England and wins the World Cup.
“Everyone at Fulham Football Club is very saddened by the demise of one of our greatest ever players – and gentleman – George Cohen MBE,” the club wrote on its official Twitter account.
His commitment to the club was acknowledged in 2016 when it was announced that a statue of him will be erected at Craven Cottage. In October of that year, it was introduced.
Cohen stated at the time, “I find it astounding that they even considered me worthy of a statue. Especially considering it was alongside the greatest player in Fulham’s history, Johnny Haynes.
It was pretty surreal to be in his company. It was wonderful to think that not only the club but also the fans wanted to erect a statue of me.”
Debbie Hewitt, the chair of the Football Association, stated, “We are deeply saddened to learn of George Cohen’s passing today. George earned 37 England caps and was the vice-captain of our World Cup-winning squad.
We extend our deepest condolences to George’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
Gary Lineker, who scored ten goals at the 1986 and 1990 World Cup finals for England, paid respect to Cohen. “I am sorry to learn of George Cohen’s passing. Another member of the 1966 World Cup-winning team has passed away. “He will forever have football fame. RIP George.”
On the official England Twitter account, a tribute was simply headlined “Rest in peace, George.”
When England hosts Ukraine in a Euro 2024 qualifier on March 26, 2019, at Wembley, a complete tribute will be paid to Cohen, according to a website report.
